Friday July 15, 2016

Wellington game developers roll up! The ACG Yoobee KiwiJam is just one week away, and it’s offering 48 hours straight of pure, unadulterated game heaven.

Participants get to camp out at ACG Yoobee Wellington (sleeping bags optional) and have two days – and nights - to design and build a game. The fun kicks off on Friday July 22 at 7pm, with the unveiling of the theme. Participants can then get into teams, or fly solo, and have free rein of ACG Yoobee’s state-of-the-art facilities to aid them in their game creation. At 7pm on Sunday it’s tools down, and time for the games to be locked and loaded for people to play. Then comes the very important task of casting the votes. Which game will capture players’ hearts and imaginations? Who will take out the People’s Choice Award?

“It’s going to be an awesome weekend – these events let developers explore weird and wild ideas and just run with them. Some very successful games have been conceived at game jams and then further developed afterwards, including New Zealand’s own Mini Metro by Wellington developers Dinosaur Polo Club,” said KiwiJam organiser and ACG Yoobee Training Services Manager Blair Willems.

Blair himself is no stranger to KiwiJams, and although this is the first time ACG Yoobee has hosted one, it’s a concept that is taking the world by storm.

“The game development industry in New Zealand is really starting to mature, and these events help stimulate entrepreneurship and the creation of new studios. Let’s hope we see our next national success story start at one of these events. ACG Yoobee is delighted to be hosting our first KiwiJam, and we hope to hold many more in the future.”

Between 60 and 80 game designers - including hotshots from cool local studios like Pikpok and Magic Leap - are expected to create more than 20 games over the course of the weekend. Sponsored by Red Bull & Countdown it seems there will be little time, or need, for sleep.